Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that a company in Vista, California, was recalling over a half a million pounds of beef products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. According to FSIS, the products were formulated with hydrolyzed milk protein, a known allergen, which was not declared on the product label.

The beef products were produced between November 1, 2013 and May 15, 2014 and were sold to restaurants in Southern California and a federally inspected processing facility. Fortunately, FSIS and the company recalling the beef products have not received any reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of the recalled product.

Millions of Americans have allergies to foods. Allergic reactions to milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish account for up to 90% of reactions to food allergens. These allergic reactions occur when a person’s immune system attacks a food protein and the results can be deadly in some cases.

“Although no one has reported any adverse reactions to consuming the beef products, recalls like this are extremely expensive and can create a public relations challenge for any companies involved,” said Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Director at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Problems with undeclared allergens and labeling issues occur on a frequent basis. LA Testing provides food allergen testing, food labeling and a wide range of other food testing services within our network of laboratories. These services can help to prevent these types of incidents.”

LA Testing’s parent company, EMSL Analytical, has sponsored an online video about food allergens that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/dhycMNHf1DQ.

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.